In their second annual Growing Green Awards, the National Resources Defense Council recognizes the efforts of innovative farmers, business leaders and promoters of sustainable food. In the struggle to make our world and our lives more healthful, these innovators are incredibly valuable partners in the development and maintenance of sustainable food systems across our nation.

The NRDC opens their nominations for the 2010 Growing Green Awards today and they are looking for nominees in four categories:

• 
  
• Food Producer: Farmers or other food producers, including aquaculture, who employ innovative techniques to sustain agriculture, the natural environment, workers and community;
• 
  
• Business Leader: Entrepreneurs who effectively use the marketplace to promote sustainable food systems, develop infrastructure that enables producers to be more sustainable, or advance sustainable innovations anywhere along the supply chain from farm to fork;
• 
  
• Thought Leader: Visionaries who advance sustainability as it relates to food through creative research, public education, and outreach.
• 
  
• Water Steward: Farmers or other food producers who have made extraordinary contributions in demonstrating water efficiency, sustainable water use and the protection of water quality.
• 
  

Award winners will be selected by a panel led by Michael Pollan, author of and .

To nominate a person or business, read more about the awards or view the 2009 winnters, visit the NRDC website.